…this is an enticing Malbec that shows it’s mountain fruit pedigree – it’s concentrated, and complex with generous fruit beautifully moderated by mouth-watering acidity This wine is blend of Bodega Colomé’s four estate vineyards – La Brava which sits at 5,740 feet, Colomé’ which surrounds the winery at 7,545 feet, El Arenal at 8,530 feet and Altura…
Category: Wine
Arrow&Branch: A Sterling Napa Valley Wine Tasting Experience
My wife and I feel blessed to be living the the Bay Area for many reasons, not the least of which is the our proximity to wine country. We live within a 90 minute drive to the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Livermore Valley, Lodi, and the Santa Cruz Mountains wine regions. Naturally, as wine lovers, we…
A Taste of Ca Marcanda; When International Varieties Meet Tuscan Terroir #WineStudio
Last month I participated in the #wineStudio Ca Marcanda program. The online wine education program, which included a virtual tasting of a two samples of Ca Marcanda wines, was held each held each Tuesday in March. What I appreciate about #winestudio is the opportunity to learn about new-to-me wines and/or wine regions. The Ca Marcanda…
Wine Of The Day: 2014 Smith-Madrone Riesling
This impeccably balanced Riesling is among the best I’ve had! This wine is crafted from 100% estate fruit from 42 year-old vines at 1,800 ft elevation. The dry-farmed vines are planted on very steep slopes (up to 35%), thereby honoring the international tradition of Riesling which thrives on steep hillsides. My tasting notes follow: Color – Very…
Wine of The Day: 2015 Marcel Deiss “Blanc” Alsace
…an outstanding expression of both the freshness and the richness of Alsace! The 2015 Alsace Blanc is field blend composed of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Beurot, Pinot Noir, Sylvaner, Muscat d’Alsace (white and red), Muscat à Petit Grain, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Traminer, Chasselas, Chasselas Rose that are interplanted, harvested, pressed (whole cluster) and vinified together….
A Taste of The House of Chapoutier #Winophiles
This month the French Winophiles are roaming the Rhône Valley! We received three sample wines from the venerable House of Chapoutier from three different regions of the Rhône Valley – Crozes Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Luberon. Overview of the Rhône Valley The Rhône Valley is a key wine-producing region in the southeast of France. It follows the north–south course of…
A Journey To Iberia And Beyond for Open That Bottle Night #WinePW #OTBN
Open That Bottle Night 2018 was a splendid five hour affair with memorable wines, food, laughter and fellowship shared with great friends! Of all the wine “days” (Cabernet Day, Chardonnay Day, Champagne Day, etc), Open That Bottle Night (“OTBN”) is my favorite. That’s because it’s a great opportunity for fellowship around food and wine; and making memories with the special…
Wine Of The Day: 2012 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an outstanding well-structured, delicious and fruit forward wine….It’s wines like this that make Napa so popular! The Martin Stelling Vineyard, planted in 1978 , and located behind the winery in Oakville, is the cornerstone of Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc aged…
Wine of the Day: 2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904
This is a layered, harmonious wine that shows the beauty of old school Rioja aging combined with modern “elaboration” practices. This wine is blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from vines over 40 years old in the cool climate vineyards of Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. It was aged for four years in American oak…
Celebrating L’Amour Du Vin With French Wine At The Table #Winophiles
The theme for this month’s French Winophiles is L’amour– French wines with a name or concept reminiscent of love. When I received these sample wines (as always, opinion are my own), I immediately saw the connection between L’Amour (love) and the Saint-Amour from Beaujolais, and the Rosé from D’Anjou in the Loire Valley. The connection between…